BlogBreak

By Remember this

June 10, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

If any minimum-wager answers this blog, it means they are on a COMPUTER and have an INTERNET HOOKUP. Keep this in mind when they start to whine about how much food they can’t afford, etc. If they have the computer, they aren’t doing too badly. They probably have a large screen TV, digital cable, cell phone with bluetooth, etc. - all the toys and bling. I can’t wait for the whining to begin.

By lovelyliz

June 10, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

My sister worked a barely minimum wage job while waiting for better work and she ws required to have a home computer and internet access.

By jesse'a mama

June 10, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Why are there so many negative people our there in the world?

By Pierce Randall

June 10, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

It’s misleading to say that only 1.5 percent of the workforce is affected by an increase in the minimum wage. A lot of union contract-negotiated jobs are pegged to the national minimum wage. If the minimum wage goes up, those jobs go up as well. Also, even without an automatic mechanism, a higher miminum wage increases the value of labor across the board.

Wages could stand to be higher in this country. The magic postwar model of success included a lower amount of economic disparity than we see today, largely because of higher wages and a robust middle class. This kept spending at pace with investment, and for the most part avoided pitfalls like runaway inflation and job growth stagnation. Minimum wage, no matter how you cut it, increases wages across the board, putting pressure on the job market from the bottom up.

I think, overall, inflation isn’t something we have a lot of control over right now. Food and gas have negative externalities in the global marketplace that having a higher, lower, or same minimum wage isn’t going to change much. Core inflation isn’t the first thing I’d be worried about considering the health of the economy right now.

By Sheshe

June 10, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Oh PLEASE Mr./Ms. “Remember this”. Nearly everyone has access to a computer in this day and time without necessarily owning it. Have you ever heard of acces at the library or maybe even the minimum wage job the ones you’re trying to criticize might have. Get your head out of the dark ages and get with the times. Besides, access to the internet doesn’t always have to be through a computer. There are so many narrow minded folks in the world today :(

By GeoffDawg

June 10, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

In reality, there shouldn’t be any such thing as a minimum wage. The free market works itself out in setting appropriate wages through simple supply and demand principles. The only effect an artificial wage has is reducing the total number of employees an organization can afford to hire.

By Remember this

June 10, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Hey, “jesse’a mama” (whatever that means): the truth is not negative - it’s simply the truth. Maybe I struck a nerve?

By Jill

June 10, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

I second that Remember This!!

By Yeah, but. . .

June 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Okay. Remember this is clearly a moron.

Just because one has access to a computer and the Web (at the library, a relative’s home or elsewhere) does not mean that they own and computer and pay for an ISP. I can’t believe how narrow-minded people are. Remember THAT, Remember this.

By T

June 10, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I don’t know why everyone should have the right (if they work honestly, and 40hrs a week) to have the same things as I do. Why should everyone be able to afford food without the help of food stamps. Or would that person make too much money to qualify? Why should that person need to live indoors? Are they really that much a part of society? Hmmm. I guess they could use the states housing. Would the fact that they have an income keep them from that aide? Really, does everyone need electricity and running water? I hope those jobs are just stepping stones to a better career path.

By Ceethis

June 10, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I’m with you Sheshe, Remeber this is living in the anal dark ages, even a monkey can have access to a computer.

By GeoffDawg

June 10, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

The “anal” dark ages? There are just too many jokes there.

By Remember this

June 10, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Sorry that all you simple-minded people are having a hard time wrapping your limited intelligence capacity around these truths. I haven’t had a minimum-wage job since high school and no able-bodied adult in this country should have one either. Try this: apply for job, show up at job every day early (not on time or late), work hard at job while you are there (do not answer your cell phone while you’re working, read the paper, do crossword puzzles, jive talk with your co-workers), let your supervisor know that you are doing a good job, make suggestions as to how to do something better (in other words, put yourself out there, stand out amongst your co-workers). IN NO TIME, you will be promoted to a job that pays more than minimum wage. Continue this work-ethic throughout your life and you will live comfortably and retire with no worries. It’s the American way - first generation immigrants have been doing it for centuries - it works. But, if you’d rather whine and find fault with the truth because it’s easier than doing the things I outlined above, then enjoy your minimum-wage job (or enjoy cashing your assistance check while munching Fritos and watching TV all day).

By Jacquie

June 10, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Remember this is sounds like a bitter little person who is angry that he/she (maybe) has a decent job bug can barely afford a computer and and internet hook-up so he/she felt compelled to come here and senselessly rant about people who work for minimum wage, who may own a computer or a cellphone. Digital cable —who doesn’t have that? Dumb. Dumb. And Dumber still.

What?! Someone working for minimun wage shouldn’t be allowed to have a computer and internet access? Digital cable? A cellphone? If they WORK for it, making minimum wage or otherwise, who are YOU to say what they should or should not own???

Ridiculous. Remember this = Loser.

By Minimum Wage

June 10, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

I have worked for minimum wage, but like the story said it was my first job at McDonald’s 20 years ago and I still lived at home with my parents. My sister and her husband survive on less than $20k a year - no frills like cable, cell phones, or internet. They don’t have a car, so no car insurance either. Sometimes I envy their simple lives, but then I wake up and realize their life sucks and they need to get real jobs.

Money doesn’t buy happiness I know, but you have to at least make enough to support yourself

By A Monkey

June 10, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Ceethis - I guess you proved the “monkey” thing, didn’t you, sweetie!

By MomOf2

June 10, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Increasing minimum wage doesn’t really help the minimum wage earners. Like Pierce Randall pointed out, increasing it only causes other goods and services to increase leaving minimum wage earners with no real net gain.

Minimum wage was never intended to support families. It’s a starting point for entering the workforce.

Yes, I’ve earned minimum wage…I was in high school. As soon as I could I found a higher paying job and supported myself while paying for a college degree. I never took out student loans to get that degree either. It did take me longer than 4 years, but I got it.

Each person has to have the motivation and desire to do better for themselves. As long as we have people entering this country who don’t speak the language, but learn it, who came with nothing but worked and educated themselves to earn more it CAN be done. Desire and motivation will get you far.

By FreeMarketWillie

June 10, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

As GeoffDawg observed - why is there a minimum wage in the first place? The market should drive the price of labor.

All the calls for a “living wage” are disingenuous. Whay only $7.25? That is still below the poverty level.

Why not a minium wage of $20 or $40 - then everyone would be above poverty level. Maybe $50 per hour, then everyone would have 6 figure incomes. When that arguement is made I am told that minimum wages that high would be silly. Ask someone who is support of the min wage, what should it be at? Then bump it some and see how high they would be willing to let it go.

Minimum wage is for entry level untrained workers. Most businesses will pay the least they can for labor, same as all consumers who want the most for the least expenditure. Labor is a commodity we as workers sell to the company. The more value you bring, the higher you can sell your labor.

By Remember this

June 10, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Y’all continue to make this so easy. Go back and read my posts - study them for comprehension. I never said anywhere what someone should or should not own, how they should spend their money, or what they sould be allowed to have. These are your words, Jacquie. The whole point is, if someone can afford these things (which are not the basic necessities of life), then they obviously have had no problem paying for their basic needs and have enough left over for whatever else they want to have. Believe me, I want you all to stimulate the economy by earning and spending as much as you can (without going into debt). I’m very comfortable, thank you, Jacquie. I wish all of you could do well on your own so that I don’t have to contribute to your welfare, raising your children, etc. If someone earning minimum wage has digital cable, a computer and a cell phone - good for them - as long as they and their dependents are well-fed, cleanly dressed, and under a safe roof. If they are complaining about not having enough to buy food and clothes while they are talking on their blue tooth or listening to their I-pod, then I tune them out - they obviously don’t have their priorities set. I dare anyone to find fault with anything I just said (monkeys included).

By ron

June 10, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Remember This,I wouldn’t want to have a head that operates like yours.Remember that.

By Why

June 10, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Minimum wage is for minimum skills, minimum effort, minimum experience and minimum dependability. Minimum wage is for a high schoolers first job. ANY adult who works for minimum wage needs to take a long hard look at their employability.

By Needless

June 10, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Those of you, who don’t believe there should be a minimum wage, are usually NOT opposed to slave labor, sweat shops and/or child labor. Therefore, your values are usually set by dollar signs. Those dollar signs are usually draped by patriotism and the so called “conservative” Christian values. Those values usually hold true, until something economically affects the “Almighty” that is (You, Your Family and/or Agenda). Then you tend to want to put your head in the sand or jump off a bridge.

I would like to say a prayer for all those that are living off a minimum wage job, or two for that matter……

By T

June 10, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

FreeMarketWillie

Good point.

By WOW

June 10, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

What kind of idiot would have a family and try to get by on a minimum wage job? If you can barely support yourself (or can’t at all) leave the kids to someone else!

By GeoffDawg

June 10, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Sure thing Needless, I’m all for slavery and abusing children. Sheesh, what a moron.

By Phoenix

June 10, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I agree with Jacquie. Remember this didn’t even need to go there. This ‘tard turned this blog into a different topic than it was intended to be. How did the topic of whether or not people could/should be able to afford internet, cellphones, cable, etc. come up. Remember this brought it up. Duh.

Some people (Remember this!) should find something to do. People like this person always like to think that their tax dollars are taking care of some lazy welfare recipients with dirty and unruly kids and how terribly unfair it is. Ho hum.

By RoadRunner

June 10, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Minimum wage was never intended to support families. Minimum wage is meant for young adults/teenagers entering the workforce. Everyone needs to take it upon themselves to better their own lives and not rely on the government to throw pennies at them.

By John

June 10, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Adults that are trying to get by on minimum wage have no marketable work skills. This is why they’re getting paid the absolute minimum. Get a better work ethic and maybe then you won’t be making so little.

By Jean

June 10, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

I can’t even begin to imagine having to live on minimum wage. Because I can’t imgaine doing so, the fear of poverty at this level has me working as hard as I possibly can to make sure I have some type of marketable skills to avoid the pitfall if minimum wage which usually also means no benefits, no insurance. What I surely would not do while working minimum wage is to have kids or anything that would certianly cause a disaster in my financial life. Face it, if you’re regulated to a life of minimum wage and no insurance, DO NOT have kids. Do not repeat the cycle of poverty. No kid deserves to brought up in poverty just so you can have a baby. Having babies while making minimum wage only serves to explain your thought process and explains why you’re working that dead end job with no future and no benefits. Wait until you’re off the cycle of poverty before having kids.

By Fred

June 10, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

“Those of you, who don’t believe there should be a minimum wage, are usually NOT opposed to slave labor, sweat shops and/or child labor.”

Incendiary platitudes, impossible to substantiate. Empty debate.

By Lithonia Mom

June 10, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

My 17-year-old son has a job making minimum wage. He has no expenses, though. He’s a HS senior, lives at home, eats the food we provide, doesn’t have a car. He uses the money from his minimum wage job to go to the movies with his friends, buy more music for his iPod, and buy overpriced sneakers. We’re okay with that — he’s a good kid and at least he’s showing responsibility by working.

Now if he gets to be, say, 25 and is STILL making minimum wage, living at home and eating the food we provide, well, then, we have is a PROBLEM!

By Bruthaman

June 10, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

In a perfect world only teens and college students would be the ones working minimun wage jobs. “NEWS FLASH” We don’t live in a perfect world. Everyone has to walk their own path in this life and no one knows what that indivivual has been thru to get to that MW job. So everyone should just shut with the judgemental attitudes and comments. Stop pretending that everyone’s situations are the same, so that makes your comments valid. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW SO STOP ACTING LIKE YOU DO> YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING……

By Old School Al

June 10, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

We all know that the the min wage is designed for entry level unskilled workers(i.e. teenagers). The problem is there are many others who, through no fault of their own, have had to accept min wage jobs to try to avoid public assistance. In case you didn’t notice Remember This, the economy stinks, and people of ALL income levels are losing jobs. Until you have walked in their shoes, you need not criticize.

I have been blessed to not have to work for the min wage since I was in high shool. I earned a HS Diploma, a BS, and an MBA. When my industry took a downturn, and I lost my job, I went back to school, got a M.Ed, and I am working on a Ed.D. I am one of those who wont stop trying, but I know how it feels to have 2 house notes, 3 car notes, tenants that can’t pay their rent, and a job that doesn’t pay enough.

A person can not always help the situation that they have been dealt, but they have to make the best of it. The minimum wage IS NOT enough to live off of, regardless of your age or how many dependents you have. When a gallon of milk is as much as the min wage, we have a problem. When it takes an hour’s wage to get back and forth to work, we have a problem. When it takes 25 - 30 hour’s wages to pay for daycare for one infant/toddler for a week, we have a problem.

I admire those who manage to survive on the minimum wage, but I encourage them all to take full advantage of any and all assistance that they legally qualify for (job search, educational, work training, child care, etc.).

Remember This, I want you to remember the next time that you are unhappy with the service you get at an establishment that most of their employees earn the min wage or just above it, they may just be subsidizing your purchase or service by taking a monetary loss to come to work for that employer!

By Lorraine

June 10, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Bruthaman is right. The same people on this blog saying how only losers and unmotivated people work minimum wage jobs, would be the same people saying how people on public assistance should get off their butts and get a job — even if it only pays minimum wage.

IMO, people who are working — even for minimum wage — trumps deadbeat people looking for a handout.

By MrLiberty

June 10, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

If you are working a minimum wage job it means you have no skills, or your skill level is only worth the dollar amount the government is forcing your employer to pay you.

These are not jobs for heads of households. If you have a minimum wage job then you should not have 3 kids. The statistics bear it out that these are supposed to be entry level positions. So why does the media continue to lie us? It is so that they can further the democratic party - union agenda of keeping people from working. You see whenever the minimum wage is raised two things happen. First, employers are forced to decide if they can afford everyone at these new rates. Secondly, any union employee now has a new reason to ask for more money, but also knows that the bar has been further raised to any competition in the workforce.

If you have a task that you need done but can only pay $4.00 an hour, you should be allowed to see if anyone will do it for that price. If nobody will, then you will raise your price accordingly.

If you have no skills, then $4.00 an hour might be all that you are worth. And by worth, I am not talking about one’s value as a human being. Too many of your emotional socialist types think that this is what this is all about. Try running a business and see what it REALLY is about. Value is a measurable quantity. When someone performs a service for you there is a cost to you for their time and labor. Your funds are not unlimited (despite what you chronic whiners believe). You must either cover the costs of labor, etc. out of your own pocket, or through sales of goods or services. Each individual therefore must be evaluated relative to the contribution they will make to the sales of items that will cover the cost of havning them labor.

When you have no skills, your contribution is limited. As your skills increase, more can be paid because your contribution will increase and likely increase sales, or some other contribuiton to the bottom lind. When someone is not able to hire you because the government is forcing them to pay more than they think you are worth, the government is denying you the right and opportunity to advance. Where are you supposed to gain experience except by working for the minimum wage and by negotiating appropriate compensation based on the skill set you can deliver?

Overall labor statistics get massaged to make it look like increases in the minimum wage have no effect on employment. Unemployement rates among young black males always increase when the minimum wage is raised.

I am not sure who the minimum wage is suppose to be helping, but it has a wonderful way of hurting the group you would figure would be near the top ot the list.

By shaggy

June 10, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

I can’ts be livin on no minimon wage. I axed for me a raise so I can get me a tribular tatoo so’s the ladies in the hood kin see’s I’se a man. My boss hogg just shot me tha grill mouth and axed me fo his cut anyways. It be a shame, don it be?

By Lee

June 10, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

There are two ways to compete- you compete with other stores for customers by giving good value for money, or you compete by increasing profits, not necessarily lowering prices, by screwing the employees in wages. The person who finds desperate people willing to work for low wages, such as illegal immigrants, single moms, the mentally ill, those with problems (law, drugs, booze); and those with other entanglements, can always find ways to increase profits by imposing on those who have to take this abuse. It never ceases to amaze me that people who defend the outrageous salaries of CEOs are the first to say employee wages shouldn’t also rise. After all, many of the $100 milion executives of Enron et al., were very well paid- not so their employees, who were screwed. In the name of profits. Sheesh!

By Remember this

June 10, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

I happen to own a service establishment and employ 12 people - all above the minimum wage. Why? Because they have all proven themselves to be worthy of more. Oh - by the way - there has been no employee turnover in two years. They all show up early, work very hard, and provide quality service to their customers. In the rare instance where something comes up at the last minute, they call and let us know and, when I call someone who is scheduled to be off to fill in, the person I call is usually there in no time. Am I one of the luckiest employers in Atlanta? Maybe. Do I treat my employees right? You betcha. How do I know this? My customers continuously tell me how much they enjoy patronizing my establishment, how much they love the people who work there, and my employees don’t want to leave to work anywhere else. And - there’s a waiting list of people who want to work for me, hoping that there’ll be an opening someday. So - to comment on your statement, Old School, there’s no excuse for poor service no matter how much someone is earning - work hard and provide good service and you will be recognized by your boss and rewarded with a raise. And your “logic” about a low wage earner “subsidizing” my purchase is total BS. Take an accounting class, a business class, or a marketing class and understand basic economics before you comment again and embarrass yourself further.

By Anthony

June 10, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

First as far as the cost of goods myth.If walmart tomorrow gave everyone that worked for them a dollar an hour raise. It would raise the costs of goods half a cent. More and more older people are working min wage jobs because all the blue collar jobs have gone bye bye.There was a time those jobs were just for kids not anymore. As more and more jobs go over seas, wages here are going to drop like a lead balloon.

By YouNeverKnow

June 10, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

The hardest I ever worked in my life was when I got paid minimum wage. The more money I make, the less work I do. Look at me now… I’m sitting on the computer, reading the AJC, and blogging and I make a nice living.

Anyway, in 2001 I decided to finally go to college - I was 25. I quit a job where I made about $12/hr (+ commission) in order to to to school full-time. I worked a PT job making $5.25 and a work study job making $7.00 while attending school. If any of these jerks on the board would have seen me at my minimum I’m sure they would have made assumptions about me such as what John posted…

Adults that are trying to get by on minimum wage have no marketable work skills. This is why they’re getting paid the absolute minimum. Get a better work ethic and maybe then you won’t be making so little.

Somehow my pay is a reflection of my work ethic and skills??? Uh no. It’s a reflection of a sacrifice I was making at that time of my life. But you and your judgmental buddies wouldn’t have known that. You do not know what season of life people are in and why they hold the position they do.

I did without a lot while I was going through that time in my life, but I am blessed and the Lord always provided me with what I needed. No one should have to get by on $6.55/hr… especially not when it cost you more to GET to work each week than what you actually bring home!

By Paulie

June 10, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Remember this: Yadayadayada. Go eat rocks.

By Old School Al

June 10, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Remember This, before you start suggesting I go to school, maybe you should read what I said. You simply confirmed what I said…you pay above min wage, your employees are happy, they treat your customers well. If you read the post, that is what I said. My comment about service was referring to those establishments that pay the min wage and their employees are losing money coming to work because they spend more than they make in transportation, child care, etc. It is those employees that I stated that often do not provide excellent customer service. You may need to understand basic economics yourself, because if a business has lower overhead, their prices can be lower — therefore underpaid employees do subsidize the purchases of the patrons.

By Alan

June 10, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

My first couple of jobs out of school were for minimum wage. After a few checks when I saw how the FICA dude was taking my money I realized I better do anything it would take to make more money. I had to motivate myself to do better, to ask for more on the job responsibility. I knew I couldn’t never, ever live on minimum wage. I now go to places like McDonalds and I go to the counter and some sleepy looking kid shuffles up to the counter, just staring at me and not even asking me for my order , he just stares at me. he is about as motivated as a dead person. And about as helpful. That my friends is a true career minimum wage employee and he is getting paid EXACTLY what he/she is worth and not a penny more. I bet he/she also are the first to complain aboput how little they make. They should be glad to even have a job.

By Henery HenschiTT

June 10, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

“Remember this” [whatever that means] owns a “service establishment” [whatever that is] because his daddy left it to him. Here’s truth for you, buddy boy: Just because you claim to be telling the “truth” doesn’t make it the actual god’s honest truth. So, try not to be the pompous a$$ you probably are 100% of the time. Here’s another truth: Those employees of yours that you think just love to smell your bowel movement really think you’re a jerk.

By Needless

June 10, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Remember This - your family does not count as employees. They need to get out in the real world.

Needless

By robo

June 10, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

You get what you earn.

If you want to earn the “minimum”, do the minimum work. Just get out of the way of those of us that know how to earn our due.

It is that simple, and nobody owes you anything. The entitled-minded laziness in this country is astounding.

By spirchall

June 10, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Henery HenschiTT “love to smell your bowel movements” hilarious!

By Remember this

June 10, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Henery, dad was a cop - no business was left to me - I did it all on my own. I’m glad I had the chance to get the whole group of you riled up today - the truth is the great stirrer-upper, isn’t it? I have to leave now because my business opens soon and there’s work to be done and money to be made. The rest of you can continue to waste your bosses’ time and keep on commenting.

By Oh Brother

June 10, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

I worked for minimum wage when I was a kid living at home. While menial jobs are a step up from living off taxpayers, there’s not much of an excuse for an adult having such a low-level job unless they’re retarded & if that’s the case, they need to be sterilized so that they CAN’T breed. The government really ought to abolish welfare & give that money to corporations to raise the salaries of their retarded, minimum-wage workforce

By Hmmmm

June 10, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

I was just about to comment on how RemeberThis sure has a lot of free time being a business owner…

Seeing as his “service establishment” is just now about to open makes me think he owns a strip club. If thats the case… I bet all his employees are happy, provide quality service to their customers, they rarely call in (who can miss out on a nights worth of tips) and are eager to come in on their off days.

By kevin

June 10, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

hmmmn, are you saying owning a strip club is a bad thing?

By Ceethis

June 10, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

* darn, Monkey found the computer!*

On topic: I remember seeing a show on A&E called 30 days where this couple lived for 30 days on minimum wage. It took me back to the days when I was living on minimum wages supporting my family. Although times were tough, we still made ends meet because of the life back then I can appreicate what I have now and never forget where I came from.

By Hmmmm

June 10, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Nope, not saying that at all Kevin a business is a business

By Jaynie

June 10, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

I saw that show on A&E — that couple really had a hard time living on minimum wage for 30 days.

The thing is, though, that they knew they only had to do it for 30 days and then they would go back to their own lives. Imagine living on minimum wage, trying make ends meet — but doing every day, and not just for a tv show.

By Tyler Durdin

June 10, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

The moment the minimum wage is raised, jobs will be lost. Imagine you are an employer who has 100 workers making minimum wage and on Monday you now have to pay another $50/hour (50 cents more per employee) or $2000/wk or $100K a year. Guess what? 10 people just got laid off. The minimum wage is used as a tool by crooked politicians to encourage class envy. It’s worthless.

By kevin

June 10, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

i agree. after all, they are just college girls working their way through school

By Reality

June 10, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Remember This, you’re not using your brain. Public libraries provide computers to be used by the general public. Workforce agencies do also. There are a host of organizations that provide free use of computers by the general public. Remeber This, are you a know-it-all Republican?

By Bruthaman

June 10, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Imagine you are an employer who has 100 workers making minimum wage and on Monday you now have to pay another $50/hour (50 cents more per employee) or $2000/wk or $100K a year. Guess what? 10 people just got laid off.

Tyler stop trying to pad your arguement with useless numbers. It all despends on the base salary. The higher the salary the less the impact. If your employees are only making $6.25 and hour that equates to an 8% increase. $7.50=7%. If you employ 100 workers then you are not considered a small business so your earnings are sure to more than adjust for this increase via a minimal if any increase for the product or services.

By Cynthia Mckinney

June 10, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

“minimum wage wid a baby on da way,hard work” It’s jus great to see dat all my peeps still luv me. All ya’ll evil J-E-W-S listnin? Cindy fo Obama VP 08’ yall haaayyy!!

By Corey

June 10, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

I guess it’s awfully hard to get by on minimum wages regardless the geographical location. Perhaps a couple of minimum wage jobs?

By steve

June 10, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

I had a strickly minimum wage job when in my 20’s and had more than 1 which paid a minimum wage salary & then offered commissions based on sales I made. These were all retail type jobs (no fast food). I took these jobs because I needed to eat and pay for my living expenses. I also had not educated myself to get anything better. After a couple of years of scrimping and saving to pay the necessities I sometimes could afford a little extra. But most often some unexpected expense came up that sucked away my fun money. I finally decided (10 yerars later) if I wanted any ‘extras’ in life, I would have to get them on my own, and a minimum wage job was not a solution for doing this. So I allowed myself 2 months to decide what I wanted to do in life (in terms of employment) and then put together a plan to get there. I decided on the IT industry (not your generic computer nerd, but I like the challenge of working with them). I then kept my day job and began attending school at night. After 1 year of night classes and a could of IT cerifications, I got my first job in IT. It didn’t not pay the big $’d everyone told me it would (but it did exceed my previous jobs). As I have continued to educate myself in the field and worked hard in the job, I have received advancements.
The bottom line for me was that when I had these low paying jobs, I also felt trapped into them. However once I determined I controlled my future and was willing to work to change it, I was able to escape the hopelessness I felt when working the minimum wage jobs. I believe my grandfather once told me, “If you’re not willing to train yourself to succeed in life, you will be doomed to take what other people are willing to give you”.

By deb

June 10, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

There are computers in most every public library in the country and that is the resource that low-income individuals use so that they can apply for jobs, etc. The fact that someone is using a computer in NO WAY indicates that they own an expensive computer.

By Corey

June 10, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

I constantly surf the web and view comments posted on blogs around the nation. Having said that; my fellow Georgians, I hope the nation does not sum us up based on some of the comments posted on these blogs. Compared to others in this nation who post comments, my fellow Georgians, we are pathetic lot. A prime example of what I’m getting at is the comment posted by an individual pretending to be Cynthia McKinney. Pathetic!

By deb

June 10, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

There are computers in most every public library in the country and that is the resource that low-income individuals use so that they can apply for jobs, etc. The fact that someone is using a computer in NO WAY indicates that they own an expensive computer.

By Cynthia Mckinney

June 10, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Cowree,so me and daddy can count own yo support dis november sugarbaby? “hard work”

By Jay Bookman

June 10, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

I think everyone should make at least $20/hr regardless of how much they apply themselves. Of course, I am a liberal idiot. Vote nObama in ‘08 so his healthcare plan and socialist views can cripple our country.

By corey dont speak for me

June 10, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

why dont you go back to some other blog jack a$$

By Go Back To Sleep

June 10, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

To: Reality and Deb: did you guys just roll out of bed at the crack of 3:00? I think we solved the computer availability thing back around 10:00 AM.

By Vesta

June 10, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

My husband started out working minimum wage in high school, in fast food no less. While he didn’t go to college, he worked his way up through the company and now owns three franchises. (We also provide free wifi and public computers!) The restaurant business is nothing “lowly” or “undignified”. How many times do you eat fast food a week?

By Captain Midnight

June 10, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

You wasted your youth gang-banging or having babies and your now stuck with making minimum wage? GOOD!

By republican

June 10, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

reality, thanks for the info capt obvious. what are you another dumba$$$ democrat?

By pathetic Georgian

June 10, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

damn,this thread dun petered out

By no sympathy

June 10, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Any adult trying to get by on minimum wage is an idiot.

By Starting Over

June 10, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

I am a well educated person that fell in love with the man of my dreams. This man provided for me while I was able to stay home and take care of our family. When the dream ended and he piraled into Oblivion, I divorced him. I am starting over, making barley over minimum wage. It’s hard………no I don’t want pity or welfare, but I would like a little grace. Just when I thought I would be able to make it, the food and gas prices has eaten into that…..there is more month than money. Yes, I have cable and a cell phone…..I don’t know for how much longer, it’s far mor important to put gas in the car to get to my low paying job! I don’t want sympathy, but I want you to know that I’m working my way back!

By letthemarketdecide

June 10, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

I agree, we should eliminate minimum wage and let the market decide like they do in Bangladesh, and Outer Mongolia, and Cambodia, and all those other delightful places where people make your sneakers for $2 a day!

By Amanda

June 10, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Looks like Starting Over got her just desserts! Married a guy so he could take care of her lazy, selfish a$$ & then dumped him when his fortunes reversed & she had to (gasp, horror) get a JOB. Women who get married to be supported are useless parasites. Karma’s a beeyotch, hmmmm???

By notjustforteenagersanymore

June 10, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Yes, minimum wage may have been invented for teenagers but this was back when small businesses abounded… that’s right, there was a time when your “neighborhood grocer” was supporting a family, albeit modestly, on his salary. Times have changed and now that much more of the workforce is employed by major corporations seeking to cut corners entry-level/minimum wage jobs abound.

There will always be a segment of the population to fill our infrastructure needs and it is unconscionable to suggest that their basic needs for housing, sustenance, and health care not be met.

By catlady

June 11, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

I recommend the book “Nickled and Dimed” about this very subject. Also, somewhat related: “Promises I can Keep”.

By College QT

June 25, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Just for some info I work 2 minimum wage jobs and pay my way through college. Minimum wage jobs or serving tables are about the only places willing to work around a college schedule of classes. Also I have my own apartment, a computer, and internet and I dont recieve an assistance check. I work hard for what I have so that one day I dont have to work quite so hard anymore. Remember this I bet I accomplish more in one day than you do in a week…. so before you go being judgemental consider other people and put yourself in their shoes for just 1 minute.

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November 18, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

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November 18, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

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